Differentiation to Create Equity
In this unit we make sure to differentiate our lessons and assessments based on the needs of all students. We take into account student profiles, IEP information, test scores, health issues, social issues, interests and personalities when designing our lessons. To see how we differentiate our lessons to meet the needs of our English language learners and special needs students please click the links to the lessons below. Or read further down on this page for an overview of the differentiation strategies used in this unit.
English Immigration Unit and Novel Introduction Lesson
Social Studies Early History of Immigration Lessons 1 & 2.
Content Differentiation:
Multilevel Objectives based on Readiness
-At the beginning of the lesson I will be implementing a diagnostic short answer pretest asking students to answer what their understandings of immigration and immigrant struggles are by answering the essential questions of the unit in 2-3 sentences. This will help me identify each students mastery of the enduring understandings and objectives of this unit. (ENG Lesson 1)
-Based on the students' pretest answers I will create different level objectives based on each students readiness levels and will design objectives to meet them at their level and also have them reach for the next. (ENG Lessons 2-9)
-At the end of the unit students will be given a short answer post-test that is exactly the same as the pretest. Then I will have students compare their answers from the pre to the post test to see how much they learned since the beginning of the unit. (ENG Lesson 10)
Multilevel Materials based on Readiness
-Based on student readiness levels materials are "chunked" to allow for greater understanding of information presented. (ENG Lessons 1-10 & S.S. Lessons 1-3)
-Vocabulary is taught throughout the lesson in order to help students better understand the novel also students choose and look up their own vocabulary words as a part of the vocabulary en richer role in lit circle group work. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
Choice Text based on Readiness & Interest
-Students will choose what documents to read during their independent research times based on the individual students Readiness & Interest (S.S. Lessons 5-10)
Process Differentiation:
Flexibility grouping based on readiness
-Students will be working in cooperative learning groups based on their readiness levels, personalities, work ethics, and individual needs. They will be working with the same groups in both classes. (ENG and SS Lessons 1-10)
Multisensory Student Activities
-Their Lit Circle group activities provide roles that appeal to a variety of the multiple intelligences. Students have a choice in which activity they engage in that day and the activities are on a rotation so that each student has an opportunity at some point in the unit to try out each different role. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
Student Choice Based Activity based on interest
-Students are able to choose what organization they provide aid to in their Social Justice/Service Learning activity. They are also able to choose how they want to provide that aid based on some helpful suggestions from me, but they are also welcomed and encouraged to come up with their own ideas as well. ( ENG Lessons 7-10)
-Students will choose what issue in immigration that they want to research. They will also decide upon a solution to their chosen issue, which they will present on in their groups PSA video. (S.S. Lessons 5-10)
Product Differentiation:
Content modifications
-Content modifications will be made based on information gathered through the pretest. (ENG Lesson 1)
On Going Assessments
- Lit Circle group assessments are ongoing and monitor student progress towards the learning goals of the unit and understanding of the content. Based on these on-going assessments I will adjust my instruction accordingly to address missed objectives or surpassed ones. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
Grading Criteria based of readiness
-Grading of the assessments for both classes (including the PSA video & assisting and organization) will be modified based on the students readiness. The teachers will individually inform each El and Special needs students as to What is expect from them during this unit. (ENG Lesson 10, S.S. Lesson 10)
Multisensory Products
-Assessments gathered from Lit Circle group work are varied and appeal to multiple intelligences. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
English Immigration Unit and Novel Introduction Lesson
Social Studies Early History of Immigration Lessons 1 & 2.
Content Differentiation:
Multilevel Objectives based on Readiness
-At the beginning of the lesson I will be implementing a diagnostic short answer pretest asking students to answer what their understandings of immigration and immigrant struggles are by answering the essential questions of the unit in 2-3 sentences. This will help me identify each students mastery of the enduring understandings and objectives of this unit. (ENG Lesson 1)
-Based on the students' pretest answers I will create different level objectives based on each students readiness levels and will design objectives to meet them at their level and also have them reach for the next. (ENG Lessons 2-9)
-At the end of the unit students will be given a short answer post-test that is exactly the same as the pretest. Then I will have students compare their answers from the pre to the post test to see how much they learned since the beginning of the unit. (ENG Lesson 10)
Multilevel Materials based on Readiness
-Based on student readiness levels materials are "chunked" to allow for greater understanding of information presented. (ENG Lessons 1-10 & S.S. Lessons 1-3)
-Vocabulary is taught throughout the lesson in order to help students better understand the novel also students choose and look up their own vocabulary words as a part of the vocabulary en richer role in lit circle group work. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
Choice Text based on Readiness & Interest
-Students will choose what documents to read during their independent research times based on the individual students Readiness & Interest (S.S. Lessons 5-10)
Process Differentiation:
Flexibility grouping based on readiness
-Students will be working in cooperative learning groups based on their readiness levels, personalities, work ethics, and individual needs. They will be working with the same groups in both classes. (ENG and SS Lessons 1-10)
Multisensory Student Activities
-Their Lit Circle group activities provide roles that appeal to a variety of the multiple intelligences. Students have a choice in which activity they engage in that day and the activities are on a rotation so that each student has an opportunity at some point in the unit to try out each different role. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
Student Choice Based Activity based on interest
-Students are able to choose what organization they provide aid to in their Social Justice/Service Learning activity. They are also able to choose how they want to provide that aid based on some helpful suggestions from me, but they are also welcomed and encouraged to come up with their own ideas as well. ( ENG Lessons 7-10)
-Students will choose what issue in immigration that they want to research. They will also decide upon a solution to their chosen issue, which they will present on in their groups PSA video. (S.S. Lessons 5-10)
Product Differentiation:
Content modifications
-Content modifications will be made based on information gathered through the pretest. (ENG Lesson 1)
On Going Assessments
- Lit Circle group assessments are ongoing and monitor student progress towards the learning goals of the unit and understanding of the content. Based on these on-going assessments I will adjust my instruction accordingly to address missed objectives or surpassed ones. (ENG Lessons 1-5)
Grading Criteria based of readiness
-Grading of the assessments for both classes (including the PSA video & assisting and organization) will be modified based on the students readiness. The teachers will individually inform each El and Special needs students as to What is expect from them during this unit. (ENG Lesson 10, S.S. Lesson 10)
Multisensory Products
-Assessments gathered from Lit Circle group work are varied and appeal to multiple intelligences. (ENG Lessons 1-5)